SRAM GX Eagle AXS Upgrade Kit [Rider Review]

Our "Rider Review" article series features the honest reviews from verified purchasers of Worldwide Cyclery. They contain the photos, thoughts, feedback & overall review you are looking for.

Ever wanted electric shifting, but didn't like the price? SRAM now has a GX AXS option that drops the price down significantly. Our friend, Jed, has been running it for a few months now. Check out what they think!!

Overview

I had been eyeing the AXS wireless shifting for quite some time but the cost just seemed too high. So, when SRAM released the GX version at a much more agreeable price point, I had to jump on it. I have loved the GX line from SRAM mainly because I believe you get a great bang for your buck but, also, because it is so dang durable.

 When I saw the release of the GX AXS upgrade kit I ordered it the same day. I was very excited to get it and as soon as it was delivered, I put the battery on the charger, downloaded the app and installed the kit the next day. The installation was pretty straight forward and only took me about 30 mins to complete. The set up and fine tuning took a little while to get just right (I actually ended up taking it to my local bike shop to have it tuned up and adjusted by a pro). Of course, that was after a couple rides where I was able to test out the new set up.

First impressions were… AMAZING! The shifting was crisp and noiseless which is super cool!

The shifter takes a little getting used to and I still am messing around with it to this day. I love that you can program the shifting through the app and set it up the way you like it. One of the coolest features, I think, is that you can program it to shift all the way up or all the way down just by holding down the shifter (either up or down). I never thought it would make that much of a difference but when you can get into that granny-gear, lickity-split, once you hit that steep, it makes all the difference between cleaning that climb and having to put a foot down. Which, of course, gives you more bragging rights and rubbing your buddy’s noses in it after the climb. What could be better than that? That’s reason enough alone to drop the coin on this kit. Plus, you also get rid of a cable which is always a good thing.

I have now had this kit on my bike for a couple months and have gone on many, many rides in varying terrain. The derailleur has taken a couple hits already (which I’m not proud of) but seems to be functioning without any issues. To this point it has virtually been “set it and forget it” because there isn’t a cable to worry about stretching and having to re-adjust. I recently put the battery on the charger and was pleasantly surprised to see that it had only dropped to about halfway (which I could’ve checked on the app too). I don’t do a lot of shifting on the trail but was shocked to see that it hadn’t dropped that much over that amount of time and miles. I do plan on getting a spare battery, just in case.

Final Thoughts

In short, if you have a couple bucks and have been on the fence about the AXS, I’d say go for it. I used to think it was kind of a fad and how much of a difference could it really make? It makes a ton of difference. The only downside now is that I don’t think I can go back to cable shifting. I’m stuck on an expensive way to shift my gears. Oh well.